Germany blames Russia for drone attack on Leipzig Airport

Germany has blamed Russia for an attempted attack using an explosive‑laden drone at Leipzig Airport on 12 March, according to a statement by the German Federal Police. The drone, intercepted by airport security before it could land, carried an estimated 50 kilograms of explosives and was detected by radar 15 minutes before arrival. No passengers or staff were injured, and the airport remained open. German officials said the drone was traced to a Russian flight‑path over the Baltic Sea.

The incident comes amid a surge in drone and missile threats to European infrastructure linked to the war in Ukraine. German airspace has already seen a spike in suspicious activity, and the country has increased its radar coverage and air‑defence drills. Analysts say the attack is part of Russia’s broader strategy to destabilise NATO allies and to pressure Germany into easing sanctions. Leipzig, the country’s third‑largest city, is a key logistics hub, making it a high‑profile target.

Investigators recovered the drone wreckage and found a fragment of a Russian-made navigation system. The German Federal Police are working with the German Air Force to trace the flight path and identify the operator. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called the incident “a clear act of aggression” and urged the European Union to coordinate a stronger response. Russia has not issued a formal statement, but its foreign ministry has repeatedly denied involvement in any attacks on German territory.

Germany is now reviewing its airport security protocols and is seeking additional NATO support for airspace monitoring. The German government plans to present its findings to the EU Council next week, potentially leading to new sanctions against Russian entities linked to the drone. The incident underscores the growing risk to civilian infrastructure in the region and could prompt a broader diplomatic push to curb Russian use of unmanned weapons.